The Nissan Path

So I have a 2005 Pathfinder SE. Just got it actually. The one drawback that I didn't like about the test drive was a squeaking/creaking sound that seemed to come from the gear shifter knob area. I considered it a minor drawback, something that I could fix down the road. I took the center console and gear shifter apart today but couldn't find the source of the sound. It only happens when in gear with the engine running. When I turn the engine off and rock the vehicle back and forth there is no sound. This Pathfinder also had the transmission replaced back in May so I'm wondering if something is not lined up properly or needs some lubrication. I've googled what it could be several times but I haven't seen any good solutions or sources. I'd like to be able to figure this out myself instead of taking it somewhere but I've kinda hit a wall with it all. Its a beautiful vehicle inside and out and I'd like to have it sound that way too. I'd appreciate any suggestions or help! THanks!

Here is a video of what I'm dealing with:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7Ba2K3AslM

That noise would drive me insane until i fixed it. there is definetly something loose somewhere. you will have to probably go under the truck to see if a shield is loose or bent and rubbing on something. good luck

The life of a Pathfinder owner is a life spent chasing squeaks and rattles, so prepare yourself, young Jedi.

The best way I've found to locate noises is to have a friend drive while you contort in the passenger seat. Remove the center console, go for a drive. Then start tearing apart the center stack. Then the dash. Then go to town with double sided sticky tape.

Remember the process because, chances are, you'll be doing it all again a week later chasing another noise.

Dan,

That's how it was with my 4Runner. Venture over to about any forum and you'll see just about every auto has rattles or complaints.

I think any body-on-frame truck is going to have squeaks and rattles considering its components spend their service lives being violently shaken.

It's hard to tell from the video but I'd almost start looking outside the car. Almost sounds like a rubber mount for something...exhaust hanger or maybe the bushing around the shift linkage isn't right.

I think I am going to start looking from the outside now. I had the console apart looking for the source but couldn't find it. We had two days warm up to the 40s last week and I'm pretty sure it significantly reduced the squeak so maybe it is because of the cold effecting some plastic pieces or something. Now we have a ton of ice on the roads up here so the squeak is like constant. Kill me now.

DanJetta wrote:I think any body-on-frame truck is going to have squeaks and rattles considering its components spend their service lives being violently shaken.

That sounds about right. I Googled various trucks last night and they all had complaints for rattles.

When you remove the center console and drive, is the sound still there? Because it sounds like a plastic stress fracture – like one of those plastic pieces is cracked and being stressed with the motion of the body. I had a door panel that sounded the exact same way.

That's really what I thought it was at first! It sounds just like a loose or cracked piece of plastic. But after taking the console apart and driving it the sound was still there. The sound is coming from beneath where the gear shifter connects to.

Tear into that shift linkage and see what's going on.

I like that diagram and I wanna take another whack at it. Does anyone have a good step by step how to remove the gear shift knob? I got stuck here last time.

Another thing, when I begin to apply the gas from stop, like creep forward, the sound happens. As if the shifter settles into its spot. Its subtle but its annoying as hell.

Tomorrow I'll go out and look (to refresh myself) but I believe the center cup holder section pulls straight up to reveal screws that release the rest of the center console. The shift handle has a clip that pulls out of the side. Once that stuff is out, you'll see screws on how to remove the rest of the shifter assembly. It's easier than it sounds.

Cool thanks a lot. I've gotten the cover around the cup holders off and the larger plastic piece forward of the cup holders off but I couldn't get the shifter knob off or the piece of plastic that has the "P R D 1 2" off.

In case it helps, these are from the service manual.